2015 Picks

Meltdowner wrote: Aussie-Byrd-Brother wrote: OK, so an Italian album that we should have been talking about a lot sooner... La Fabrica dell' Assoluto's "1984 - L'ultimo Uomo d'Europa" Those of you who really crave that dirty wild sound like the first Biglietto per L'Inferno, Ys, etc....your prayers have been answered! Great track, too bad I can't find the full album on streaming. By the way, I think you'd like that Necromonkey album

I do know they were around in the 70's as was I, but never heard them in the 70's. I am not a reviewer so this is just my way of recommending them. They got my ears.

To be fair, the fact that Hands currently have neither a website nor a Facebook page does not help. They don't have the album for streaming either, which is essential nowadays to give people a preview of the music. In spite of that, a lot of people have mentioned Caviar Bobsled as a favourite, and Ernie Myers, the band's leader and main songwriter, is aware of that (cue a thread on the ProgEars forum).

Mascodagama wrote: Guldbamsen wrote: Hey Simon Have you by any chance checked out Claudio Milano - yet another wild man from Italy? He is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most extreme vocalists I've ever had the pleasure of listening to, and I'm fairly certain that his blend of chamber rock, avant and futuristic folk will hold something to your liking. Hey David   I don't know his stuff at all but - not for the first time - your recommendation will ensure that I check it out. Thanks!   My mileage with extreme vocalists varies, but I count Demetrio Stratos and Klaus Blasquiz amongst my favourites, so we'll see how I do with Claudio.

Well Claudio does sound a lot like Demetrio and probably shares the same vocal range - he is completely insane in that aspect....yet there os also something unequivocally frail and beautiful about his voice that echoes Tim Buckley, whom btw is Claudio's biggest influence.
I have reviewed a couple of his releases, mostly Nichelodeon, and it is most definitely worth getting if you're mad about madness. Though some of his music can be floating and gentle like the dove from above. Both Bath Salts and Uniyoe are great starting points.

^Just wondering, of course what I like might not appeal to others. Tough for prog bands to get any cred these days. Living in the shadows of the prog greats must be tough on new bands.

Great track, too bad I can't find the full album on streaming. By the way, I think you'd like that Necromonkey album 

Edited by Meltdowner - December 22 2015 at 05:45

^ Thanks for reminding me of Necromonkey. I'm listening to it right now, great music 

Just ordered the new Bowness and Big Big Train...  Also on the way already - The Thieves Kitchen and 'Basically Frightened' Limited Edition DVD (Bruce Hampton)  If you don't know Bruce, you should...

Mascodagama wrote: Guldbamsen wrote: Hey Simon Have you by any chance checked out Claudio Milano - yet another wild man from Italy? He is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most extreme vocalists I've ever had the pleasure of listening to, and I'm fairly certain that his blend of chamber rock, avant and futuristic folk will hold something to your liking. Hey David   I don't know his stuff at all but - not for the first time - your recommendation will ensure that I check it out. Thanks!   My mileage with extreme vocalists varies, but I count Demetrio Stratos and Klaus Blasquiz amongst my favourites, so we'll see how I do with Claudio.

I am familiar with his stuff, and have reviewed some of his albums with Nichelodeon and InSonar. He's a great vocalist, but his music can be very challenging.